Though he grew up in landlocked Pennsylvania, Paul Galdieri Jr.’s creativity began to flow when he hit the open sea.

After 15 years as a menswear designer for brand-name corporations such as Armani and Polo Ralph Lauren, the now 33-year-old turned the tide and established Paulsun Swimwear LLC, a swimwear company for men and boys.

“It’s quality, functional design with a purpose,” Galdieri said on a recent afternoon in his Clarks Summit workspace, to where he recently re-located. “And ‘purpose’ doesn’t just mean that you can do a flip off the back of a boat, comfortably, wearing these suits. It’s in a greater sense of giving back.”

A portion of the proceeds of Paulsun Swimwear’s suits benefits charities close to Galdieri’s heart: Global Citizen, which provides effective and relevant ways for the public to take action to end extreme poverty; National Wildlife Foundation, a nonprofit group committed to conservation education and advocacy; and World Concern, dedicated to community development in some of the world’s poorest countries.

Galdieri noted friends and family are doctors or educators who make a difference in others’ lives, and he felt like his creativity could help people, too.

“We’re talking about dollars saving lives with vaccines and education and more,” he said. “How can I help? I love what I do, and I found a way to do it in a more meaningful way.”

Epiphany on the water

A Scranton Preparatory School graduate, Galdieri went on to earn degrees from Fashion Institute of Technology and build an impressive resume as a clothing designer. He worked in and designed menswear for Armani and Ecko in New York City and Urban Outfitters in Philadelphia, but something always called to him, pulling him a different direction.

Galdieri was living in Miami and working as a designer for Perry Ellis when he took a vacation to Croatia with friends. They rented and lived on sailboats and boated to different islands. As he gazed out onto the vast and seemingly never-ending water in front of him one day, he reflected on his career and where he wanted to go.

“I had just found my way out after a decade in New York (City). It’s a concrete jungle,” Galdieri said. “Now, I was living at the beach. ... That lifestyle is what felt right to me, and it dawned on me on the sailboat in Croatia. Swimwear and that spirit is what I want to focus on.”

After the trip, he returned to Miami and received an offer to work in New York City, again, to design for Polo Ralph Lauren. He tucked away his swimwear dreams for a bit and moved back to the city where he worked for the clothing giant and did some freelance design work.

When his apartment’s lease was up, the desire to start his own company called to him again. He left the city and followed his heart.

“It was very coincidental,” Galdieri said. “I had the money saved up, and the brand had kind of been brewing in my head. I knew if I wanted to try this, now was the time.”

Galdieri moved back to his childhood home in the Abingtons. His living space functions as a design studio and showroom with samples, sketches, materials, patterns, look books, promotional items and tags each in its own place. Pictures, posters, cut-outs from magazines and other visuals that inspire Galdieri — especially images of the ocean, sand, sailboats, brightly colored nautical objects and a laid-back, comfortable lifestyle — fill the walls.

Paulsun’s suits reflect this idea and come in bright hues, many in primary colors, with some in gray and dark navy. Some suits have contrast-colored waistbands or are adorned with anchors that give off a sunny, cool and comfortable beach vibe.

Galdieri takes care to ensure each suit is as perfect as it can be, from color and graphics to stitching and liner. This thoroughness caught the eye of Stephanie Sebastianelli, owner and buyer of specialty store Burlap and Bourbon in downtown Scranton, who said Galdieri’s products were a perfect fit. Since the menswear industry is limited, Sebastianelli felt eager to meet a talented, local designer like Galdieri. When he brought in samples of his products, Sebastianelli knew she had to carry it in her store.

“Paul’s meticulous attention to detail is what makes his line ​so visually appealing to his customer. The product speaks for itself,” Sebastinelli said, adding that she aims to carry brands that are unique and can’t be found locally. “I also love that Paul gives back to numerous charities and organizations when his products are sold.”

Global inspiration

Extremely influenced by aesthetics as well, Galdieri finds items that spark his creativity everywhere. Seeing the world contributes to Paulsun’s vision, as a giant map hangs above his workspace to remind him of the wonder of different places throughout the globe.

The inspiration for a new collection of swimsuits — the “Travel” limited edition collection — came from a trip he took to Bali. Galdieri was so enamored by the land, the culture and the wildlife that he enlisted his tattoo artist from Manhattan to draw up exclusive designs that capture the island’s spirit. These intricate designs — an octopus, a pirate ship and a snake — will be embroidered on the suits in this collection.

“I want my stuff to be different, and I want the person who wears Paulsun to feel like they stand out,” Galdieri explained. “I also want to use all these things that inspire me to reflect in my products.”

Galdieri not only designs and develops each detail of his swimwear from concept to product but also coordinates production, reviews hundreds of samples and designs even the smallest aspects of suits, such as grommets and tags. Galdieri creates marketing and sales plans, too, reaching out to prospective retailers, many of which sit along the Jersey Shore or in Philadelphia, South Carolina and Florida.

While his experience in the clothing industry helps with how he runs his business, much of his new path takes him into uncharted waters.

“I was in (marketing and sales) meetings, so I have a knowledge of it, but as far as doing it myself, it’s different than what I’m used to,” Galdieri said. “I’m a one-man operation. Everything is a learning curve, but I’ve been happier the past six months than I’ve (been) in my entire career.”

Constant motion, just like the sea, is the nature of the clothing industry. Galdieri said companies look to the past to see what did well and, in turn, what consumers want more of. In the present, companies need to work on their current situation to ensure they meet industry deadlines. Finally, they must look to the future to always stay ahead of the curve.

Always in motion, Galdieri keeps his eyes on the horizon as he uses his talent and creativity to feed his soul and help others.

“I did what I wanted to do,” he said. “I wanted to use my talent and something I love to make an impact. It’s about giving.”

Contact the writer: gmazur@timesshamrock.com, @gmazurTT on Twitter.

Meet Paul Galdieri Jr.

Age: 33

Residence: Clarks Summit

Background: Galdieri is the son of Paul Sr. and Joann Galdieri and has two sisters, Nicole and Michelle. He has two nieces, Kaylin and Magnolia, and a nephew, Mattingly. He is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School and earned an associate degree in menswear design and a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandise management from Fashion Institute of Technology, New York City. He is creative director of Paulsun Swimwear LLC.

About Paulsun Swimwear

Galdieri founded Paulsun Swimwear LLC in 2016, focusing on quality, functional design with a purpose in its swimwear for men and boys. Proceeds from each sale benefit foundations close to Galdieri: World Concern, Global Citizen and National Wildlife Federation. Paulsun Swimwear will be available locally at Burlap and Bourbon, 530 Spruce St., Scranton, starting Monday. For details or to buy swimwear, visit

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